Chateau Margaux 2014

WEINWISSER: "Mittelkräftiges Rubinrot, transparente Art. Extrem elegante Nase, Minze, Cassis, Tabak, Zigarren-Box. Super eleganter Gaumen, verspielte Art, feiner Gaumen, betörend, lang, mundwässernd, mineralischsalzig, viel Finesse."

JAMES SUCKLING: "The purity of cabernet sauvignon fruit is what impresses here. Subtle and energetic plum and currant aromas follow through to a gorgeously harmonized palate of wonderful fruit and an ultra-long finish. Current bush and light earth adds to the complexity. Lasts for minutes. Drink in 2022."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "There is a sense of pure juicy black-currant fruit that shoots through this great wine. With tannins that are firm while not a jot too much, the wine is crisp, packed with fruit and set for many years of aging. It is beautiful, fruity and intensely structured. Drink from 2027."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Showing more aromatic complexity after just a few additional months in bottle, truffle, herbs, cedar, lead pencil, and dark, red fruits are impossible to avoid. Medium full bodied, with soft, polished tannins, elegant styling and a freshness to the lingering, sweet, red, spicy fruits. This should drink well relatively early for Margaux. Perhaps another decade will be enough for this wine to begin showing well."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "The 2014 Château Margaux represents 36% of the year’s total production and is a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. Affording the glass five to ten minutes to open, the aromatics are very similar to those expressed out of barrel, those dark cherries and violets, tightly wound at first but unfurling beautifully and seemingly with each swirl of the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine tannin and it appears to have fomented a little more finesse during its élevage. There is wonderful mineral tension and dash of spiciness on the persistent finish. There remains some tightness here, the implication that this is a Château Margaux determined to give long-term pleasure. Therefore, do not be afraid to give it a decade in the cellar."

DECANTER: "Striking black fruits from 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, yet restrained – even severe – with less charm and more firmness; the opposite of showy. With great natural density and tannins that do not overwhelm, this is a classical Château Margaux that will need time to fully open up. Drinking Window 2022 - 2045"

JEB DUNNUCK: "The grand vin from the Mentzelopoulos family and late manager Paul Pontallier is the 2014 Château Margaux which checks in as a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, and the balance Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, as always, raised in 100% new barrels, and represents a scant 36% of the total production from the estate. A regal, classy, and nuanced beauty, its ruby/purple-tinged color is followed by a terrific perfume of cassis, licorice, spicy oak, sandalwood and a hint of vanilla. With a beautiful core of sweet fruit, ripe, polished tannin, no hard edges, and a great finish, this full-bodied 2014 shows the classy, elegant style of the vintage brilliantly. Give bottles 5-7 years and it should deliver plenty of pleasure over the following three decades."

WINE SPECTATOR: "This is solidly packed, with layers of warm fig bread, plum compote and black currant preserves, carried by a silky yet substantial structure. As the fruit plays out, the anise, black tea and singed alder notes in the background come into clearer focus, giving this remarkable range. Everything glides beautifully through the suave, gently toasty finish. Best from 2020 through 2035. 10,835 cases made."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Mid ruby. Hint of toasty oak on the nose – sweet and charming. Medium body and lots of fruity charm. Very juicy and salivatory. Strong cassis. There is a framework here and quite a bit of acidity but it’s all appeal. Pretty classy and fresher than some. Classic. Very good to taste this as the bottle we had at the Southwold tasting was badly affected by TCA."